Women rally for reproductive rights in Appleton

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - Hours after the Supreme Court’s landmark abortion ruling, a rally for reproductive rights was held Friday evening in downtown Appleton. Protesters made it clear where they stand.

The crowd turned out with signs with messages including “My body, my choice,” “Looking forward to the day women, [people of color] and LGBTQIA have the same rights as guns,” and “Land of the Free -- restrictions apply.” Many were still rallying at the curbside four hours later.

The people there were telling us they are upset, they are angry, they are sad, and they feel unheard in the Supreme Court’s ruling.

“Sixty-one percent of the population believes people should have a choice to make these very, very personal health decisions on their own. Sixty-one percent. How did this happen? We, we just, how did it happen?” Kristin Alfheim, a candidate for the state senate, said.

“We all called the day early because we couldn’t think. We were just mad and devastated about everything that was going on and we needed to do something because the world that we’re living in right now, it’s really scary,” Becca Henningsen, who came from Stevens Point, said.

They were making their voices heard with signs outside Houdini Park.

“We came here to try to do something about it and make sure that people know that using your voice is actually important,” Henningsen said.

They asked passing motorists to honk in a show of support. They hoped their noise will encourage others to fight for change.

”I would like to see people continue to be active that’s not just on a corner. That’s at your polls. That’s at your local offices. That’s in your communities spreading the word that we are the majority.”

“Never knowing what rights are gonna be taken away tomorrow is just heartbreaking and sad. There’s, there’s no better word than just sad,” Henningsen said.

Protesters said they were here for a sad reason but were happy they could be together to get their message out. They want to show the world that despite hardship, they stand together.

”Everybody’s here because we’re mad and sad, but you know, you can’t show that. You have to turn it into something that people want to support, because nobody’s gonna be there supporting just a bunch of sad, angry people. This is what they want to see, and this is what’s gonna get ‘em behind us,” Alfheim said.

The rally was organized by the Freedom Road Socialists.

During our time there, no counter-protesters were seen.

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